Fact Check: "UK sends 350 missiles to Ukraine funded by £70m interest on frozen Russian assets."
What We Know
Recently, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom will send 350 advanced air defense missiles to Ukraine. This military aid package is notable as it is funded by £70 million in interest accrued from frozen Russian assets. This initiative marks a significant shift in the UK's approach, as it is the first instance of using Russia-linked funds to directly finance weapons for Ukraine. The missiles, originally designed as air-to-air systems, have been retrofitted for ground launch and will be deployed through UK-supplied Raven systems, with additional systems being sent to Ukraine to enhance their air defense capabilities (The Guardian, Mirror).
Analysis
The claim that the UK is sending 350 missiles to Ukraine funded by £70 million in interest from frozen Russian assets is supported by multiple credible sources. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Starmer during a press briefing ahead of a NATO summit, emphasizing the importance of using seized Russian assets to bolster Ukraine's defense against ongoing aggression from Russia (The Guardian).
The reliability of the sources reporting this information is high. The Guardian and Mirror are reputable news outlets known for their journalistic standards. The information aligns with the broader context of the UK’s military support for Ukraine, which has included substantial financial commitments, totaling £4.5 billion in military aid for the year (The Guardian).
Moreover, the move to utilize interest from frozen assets reflects a growing trend among Western nations to leverage Russian financial resources to support Ukraine, as articulated by UK Foreign Minister David Lammy, who has advocated for seizing rather than merely freezing Russian assets (Reuters). This context further validates the claim, as it indicates a strategic shift in how countries are addressing the financial implications of the conflict.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The claim that the UK is sending 350 missiles to Ukraine funded by £70 million in interest from frozen Russian assets is accurate. The announcement has been corroborated by multiple reputable sources, and it represents a significant policy decision by the UK government to directly support Ukraine's defense efforts against Russian aggression.
